Bachelor of Nautical Science
Services - Transport Operations and Logistics
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The outcomes of this qualification are intended to widen the scope of employment opportunities, qualifying learners, in both the offshore (sea-going) and land-based maritime industries. It has a strong professional or career focus and underpins advancement into internationally recognised certificates of competency, widening access to employment opportunities globally. Holders of this qualification shall be adequately prepared to enter this specific niche area in the national and international maritime labour market.
The purpose of this qualification is to equip qualifying learners with the necessary knowledge, understanding, skills and abilities to become competent navigating/deck officers at sea, while also creating opportunities for personal intellectual growth ashore.
Rationale:
In alignment with the Government's Operation Phakisa initiative to tap into the Ocean (Blue) Economy, the Bachelor of Nautical Science aims to address the critical skills shortage in the country and provide access to learners in this contemporary discipline. There is a global shortfall of shipboard officers to service the world merchant fleet, a shortage predicted to significantly increase in the future.
Given that a large percentage of intercontinental trade relies on merchant shipping, it is vital for South Africa to position itself as a key supplier of seafaring officers globally. Successful completion of this qualification virtually guarantees employment in the expanding global shipping industry, thus contributing to reversing high levels of unemployment.
This qualification will enable learners to become technically proficient and make a positive contribution to the South African economy by earning lucrative, tax-free foreign currency. It aligns with the country's National Skills Development agenda by developing scarce skills, creating employment opportunities, and reversing unemployment.
Global vessel owners will benefit from well-educated, highly skilled, English-speaking learners. Furthermore, qualifying learners will have opportunities for employment ashore. This qualification is designed to focus on career development, addressing critical and scarce skills shortages both nationally and internationally.
Additionally, it provides an articulation path to postgraduate studies and creates research opportunities in the maritime industry, supporting the objectives of Operation Phakisa.
Outcomes
- Systematically diagnose and solve broadly defined shipping problems by applying sound nautical science principles.
- Use appropriate appropriate shipboard technologies and equipment, including information technology, with a thorough understanding of their limitations.
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with shipboard, shore-based and port authority staff.
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of shipboard management principles in relation to the safety of the vessel and its crew.
- Engage in independent, life-long learning and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) through well-developed learning skills.
- Comprehend and apply ethical principles by committing to professional ethics, responsibilities and the norms of shipping practice.
- Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the impact of shipping on society, economy, maritime and related industries and the physical environment (atmospheric and oceanographic).
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Analyse, define the shipping problem and criteria for acceptable solutions.
- Generate and formulate possible approaches, which may lead to a workable solution for a problem.
- Evaluate possible solutions and select the best solution.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Assess the method, skill or tool for applicability or limitations against the required results.
- Apply the method, skill or tool correctly to achieve the required results.
- Create, select and use computer applications as required by the discipline, e.g. ship stability and lay time calculations.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Use appropriate structure, style and language of oral and verbal communication for the purpose of the communication and the target audience, e.g. Maritime English.
- Use graphics that are appropriate and effective in enhancing the meaning of the text, e.g. in shipboard safety applications.
- Fluently deliver oral communication, with the intended meaning being apparent.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Explain the principles of planning, organising, leading/executing and controlling, e.g. in passage planning.
- Carry out individual work effectively, strategically and on time.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Manage autonomously and ethically learning tasks, individually and in a small group, are managed autonomously and ethically.
- Reflect upon learning undertaken, and own learning requirements and strategies.
- Apply knowledge acquired outside of formal instruction.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6
- Describe the nature and complexity of ethical dilemmas, e.g. dealing with refugees found stranded at sea.
- Apply ethical reasoning, to evaluate shipping solutions.
- Maintain continued competence (CPD), through keeping abreast of up-to-date tools and techniques, available in the workplace.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7
- Explain the impact of technology, in terms of the limitations and benefits to society.
- Explain shipping activity, in terms of the impact on occupational and public health and safety.
- Take into consideration personal, economic, social, cultural values and requirements for those who are affected by shipping activity.
Integrated Assessment
Quality assessment is central to credibility of the qualification and the recognition of learner achievement. The institution shall ensure credibility in assessment through the application clear and rigorous procedures and practices, in keeping with the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability. In this regard, learning and assessment should be integrated. Continual formative assessments in the form of, among others, class tests, assignments and practical projects, shall be administered in order to provide feedback to learners on their progress in the achievement of specific learning outcomes. Summative assessment is associated with the judgment of learning in relation to the exit-level outcomes of the qualification. Such judgment shall include integrated assessment which shall measure the learner' ability to integrate the larger body of knowledge, skills and attitudes that are represented by the exit level outcomes as a whole. The final summative assessment is done by writing a South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA) approved examination.
Qualification Details
- Type
- National First Degree
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 360
- SAQA Source
- More Information
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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.